Telpherage system.



I. P. NIKONOW.

TELPHERAGE SYSTEM. APPLICATION FILED APR.23, I915.

Patented Oct. 10, 1916.

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ATTORNEY J. P.-NIKONOW. TELPHERAGE SYSTEM.

APPLICATION man APR-231 1915.

1,201,080. Patented Oct. 10,1916.

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Jon P. NIKo ow, OF WILKINSBURG,PE NS LVANIA, Ass eNoR To wEsTINenotisEELECTRIC AND MANUFACTURING COMPANY, A CoRroRATIoN 0E PENNSYLVANIA.

TELPHEBAGE SYSTEM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 10, 1916.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JOHN P. NIKoNow, a subject of the Czar of Russia,and a resident of Wilkinsburg, in the county of Allegheny and State ofPennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in TelpherageSystems, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to telpherage systems and particularly to switchingmechanisms therefor.

My invention has for its object to provide a simple and eificient meansfor controlling the connections of tracks in a system of the aboveindicated character.

A system constructed in accordance with my invention is particularlyadapted for use in connection with the loading of ships, the disposal offreight in terminal warehouses and for other similar purposes. Theswitching mechanism for controlling the connections of the severaltracks is especially adapted for use in connection with a system inwhich the movement of the conveying cars is in a single direction.

In systems of this character, it is usual to provide a number of branchtracks which are connected to the main track in order to allow certainof the conveying cars either to shorten their route or to change theirdestination. It is highly desirable, in the interest of efficientoperation, that the route to be taken may be determined before the carreaches the track switch which must be actuated to properly route thecar. It is desirable, also, that the actuation of the switch may beaccomplished without undue loss of time caused by stopping the car whilethe switching operations are eifected.

According to the present invention, I provide a movable switching memberwhich, when lowered, connects a main or continuous track to a branchtrack. WVhen the switch member is raised to its upper position, the carscontinue on the main track and a suitable gap is left between the maintrack and the branch track'to provide for the passage of the car. Theswitch member, or bridging member, is controlled by an electric motorthat is operatively connected to it. A reversing switch for the motor,which is located on the main track at a considerable distance from theswitch, may be "operated to either of its positions, as desired,

by the setting of a controlling mechanism carried by the tractor whichpropels the car.

The details of my invention will be described in connection with theaccompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a plan View of a portion oftrack embodying a switching mechanism constructed in accordance with myinvention, parts being broken away. Fig. 2 is a view, in elevation, ofthe mechanism of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a sectional view, on line ilII-III ofFig. 1. Fig. 4 is an end View of a car equipped with the motorcontrolling mechanism, and its associated parts, the track being shownin section. Fig. 5 is a View, in elevation, of the mechanism of Fig. 4.Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic view of circuits and apparatus embodying myinvention.

Referring particularly to Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, a portion of the mainor continuous track of a telpherage system is indicated at 1. A branchtrack 2, which is adapted to be connected to the main track at desiredtimes, ends at a considerable distance from the main track to form a gapthrough which suspended cars may pass. The tracks may be supported byany suitable means as, for example, upon I-beams 3 that may be securedto any suitable stationary members. The gap between the end of thebranch track 2 and the main track 1, is adapted to be bridged by acurved switch member 4 which is pivotally mounted on a shaft 5 by meansof a frame 6. The switch member 4 is bifurcated at one end to provideinclined projections 7 upon which the flanges of the car Wheels roll toan elevation sufficient to insure that they may clear the main track 1when the car changes its course. The main portion of the switch member 4is materially higher than the top of the main track 1.

vThe position of the bridging member 4, relatively to the tracks 1 and2, is controlled by an electric motor 8 that is mounted on the frame 6and is geared to a stationary rack 9 by means of a pinion 10. A suitablecounterweight 11, indicated by dot and dash lines in Fig. 1, may belocated on the outer side of the frame 6.

Referring particularly to Figs. 4 and 5, the motor is controlled by apair of singlethrow switches 12 and 13 that are located along the maintrack at any desired distance .from the track switch in the directionfrom which the car approaches. The switches 12 and 13 are mechanicallyin terlocked by a pivoted bar 14 so that it handle 20, which is locatedwithin convenient reach of the operator, is connected by a suitable linkmechanism 22 to a longitudinally slidable rod 23. A projecting member 24is in alinement with one of the switches 12 and 13, according to theposi- 8, the armature of which is indicated at 25,

is provided with a series field magnet winding 26 which is in circuitwith a brake coil 27 for controlling the operation of the motor. Themotor circuit is provided with suitable limit switches 28 that arecarried by the frame 6 and one of which is opened at the respective endsof the path of movement of the frame 6 about the pivotal shaft 5. Theswitches'12 and 13 constitute a reversing mechanism for the armaturecircuit of the motor. The series field winding 26 is permanentlyconnected in circuit with the source. It may be assumed that a car onthe track 1 and moving in the direction of the arrows in Figs. 1 and 5,is approaching the track switch and that it is desired that the cartravel over the branch track 2. It maybe assumed, also, that thebridging member 4 is in its upper position in which there is suflicientclearance to allow the wheel 19 and the frame 18 to pass beneath it.Before the car reaches the switching mechanism for controlling themotor, the handle 1 20 is adjusted to the proper position for insuringthe closing of the trackswitch; It may be assumed, for example, that theupper positions of the rod 23 and the projection 24, as illustrated inFigs. 4 and 5, correspond to thelower or operative position of thebridging member 4, as illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3. When the car 15passes the switches 12 and 13, the projection 24 will engage the switch12 to effect its closure, and the switch 13 will be opened by theinterlocking bar 14. The motor circuit, which is closed thereby, extendsfrom the positive terminal through the brake coil 27, series fieldwinding 26, limit switch 28, switch 12, armature winding 25 and switch12 to the negative terminal. The motor then rotates ina clockwisedirection, as viewed in Fig, 3, to-lower the bridging member 4 intoengagement with the main track 1 and the branch track 2 to close thegapv between them. When the bridging member 4 is in its operativeposition, the corresponding limitswitch 28 will be opened to break themotor circuit. WVhen the car reaches the portion of the main track 1illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, the flanges of the wheel 19 roll up theinclined surfaces of the arms 7, and the wheel 19 and its connectedparts are elevated in order that the wheel may clear the main track 1.The car then proceeds along the branch track 2. In case it is desired toproceed along the main track 1, the operating handle 20 of the car thatmay be approaching the switches 12 and 13 is adj usted to place theprojecting member 24 inits lower position to coact with the switch 13.The closing of the switch 13 operates to complete a circuit for themotor which is the same as that above described, except that theconnections of the armature winding are reversed. The motor then rotatesin a counter clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 3, to rotate theframe 6 and the bridging member 4 about the pivotal shaft 5 to raise thebridging member 4 to its upper position and thereby open the gap betweenthe main track 1 and the branch track 2. The car may then proceed alongthe track 1, the frame 18 and the wheel 19 passing under the bridgingmember 4. In case it is desired that a car pass over the same route asthat taken by a preceding car, the operating handle 20 will be adjustedto the corresponding position in the usual way. For example, if theswitch 12 is closed and the projection 24 is in its upper position. thecontrolling mechanism will have no efiect upon the switching mechanismas it passes. It will be clear, therefore, that, as long as it isdesired to traverse the main track and the switching member 4 is in itsopen position, the operating handle 20 may remain in the correspondingposition without change. If it is desired that the cars passsuccessively over the branch track 2, an initial adjustment only of theoperating handle 20 is required.

It will be noted that I provide a simple and effective means forautomatically con trolling the switching mechanism of a telpheragesystem by means of which the route to be taken may be preselectedwithout loss of time on the part of the operator or without delaying thetransported material. The switching mechanism is such that it does notinterfere with the movements of cars that are suspended from the track,as would occur if the switching mechanism were similar to that employedin railway construction.

Many modifications will occur to those skilled in the art to which myinvention appertains, and it is understood that such changes may be madeas fall within the scope of the appended claims without departing fromthe spirit of my invention.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a telpherage system, the combination with a continuous track and abranch track, of a substantially vertically movable switch member forconnecting said tracks, and electrical means on one of said tracks forselectively controlling said member.

2-. In a telpherage system, the combination with a continuous track anda branch track. of a substantially vertically movable member forconnecting said tracks, a motor for controlling said member, and meansfor selectively controlling said motor.

3. In a telpherage system, the combination with a track having a sectionmovable substantially in a vertical direction, and a car supported bysaid track, of a motor for actuating said movable section, and meansinsaid car for controlling said motor.

4. In a telpherage system, the combination with a continuous track and abranch track, of a member movable substantially in a vertical directionfor connecting said tracks, a motor for controlling said member, andmeans operable from the continuous track for controlling said motor.

5. In a telpherage system, the combination with a main track, and abranch track, of a switching mechanism for connecting said trackscomprising a member movable substantially in a vertical direction, amotor operatively connected thereto, a switching mechanism forcontrolling said motor, a car to be supported by said tracks, and meansin said car for controlling said switching mechanism.

6. In a telpherage system, the combination with a continuous track and abranch track, of a pivotally mounted member for connecting said tracks,a motor mechanically connected to said member, and a stationary membercoacting with said motor for actuating said connecting member in avertical direction.

'7. In a telpherage system, the combination with a continuous track anda branch track, of a horizontally pivotally mounted member forconnecting said tracks, a motor mechanically connected to said member,and a stationary gear operatively connected to said motor.

8. In a telpherage system, the combination with a continuous track and abranch track, of a substantially vertically movable member forconnecting said tracks, an electric motor for controlling said memberand means for selectively controlling said motor.

9. In a telpherage system, the combination with a track having a sectionmovable substantially in a vertical direction and a car supported bysaid track, of a 'motor disposed adjacent to said movable section foractuating the same and means in said car for controlling the motor.

10. In a telpherage system, the combination with a continuous track anda branch track, of a substantially vertically movable member forconnecting said tracks, a motor disposed adjacent to said movable memberfor controlling the same, and means for selectively controlling themotor.

11. In a telpherage system, the combination with a continuous track anda branch track, of a substantially vertically movable switch member forconnecting said tracks, and electrical means for operating said switchmember.

12. In a telpherage system, the combination with a continuous track anda branch track, of a substantially vertically movable switch member forconnecting said tracks, electrical means for operating said switchmember, and means for selectively controlling said electrical means.

13. In a telpherage system, the combination with a continuous track anda branch track, and a car adapted to operate on said tracks, of asubstantially vertically movable switch member for connecting saidtracks, electrical means for operating said switch member and meanswhereby said electrical means may be selectively controlled from thecar.

14:. In a telpherage system, the combination with a continuous track anda branch and a car supported by said track, of a motor having anarmature and a field-magnet winding, said motor being adapted to actuatesaid movable section, and means in said car for effecting a reversal ofthe armature and the field-winding terminals relative to each other.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name this 9th day ofApril 1915.

JOHN P. NIKONOW.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G.

